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Our cast-iron pots and pans will never get more use than during the holiday season—for Thanksgiving alone, they’re in action for a straight day if not two. Proper maintenance is essential to keeping these kitchen workhorses in good shape, something Jennifer Garner is clearly well aware of. The A-lister recently revealed a list of 10 things she can’t live without to New York magazine, and we spotted one under-the-radar item that every cook needs in their lives. Make way for the chain-mail scrubber. 

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Chainmail Scrubber by Knapp, Amazon ($20)
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We know what you’re thinking. A kitchen tool that resembles a medieval accessory doesn’t seem promising. But hear us out. Thanks to its high-quality stainless steel, the gadget is considered the “world’s best” cast-iron cleaner by cooking experts near and far (The New York Times and Rachael Ray are fans). The 188 rings, when combined with a squirt of dish soap, can take care of even the toughest build-ups, leaving your pans, Dutch ovens, and woks spick-and-span. “I accidentally put one down the garbage disposal once and broke the disposal and the scrubber,” Garner told New York. “I was sadder about the scrubber. That’s how strongly I feel about it.”

Cleaning skillets is only one of the unconventional dishrag’s many functions. It can help your food taste better, too. Over time, scrubbing your pans with the tough metal tool creates a textured surface more conducive to picking up seasoning, aka a flavor punch. That’s a win-win for Turkey Day and beyond.  

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